Even in diverse metropolitan areas like New York City, it is not uncommon for people to experience stress related to one or more of their sociocultural identities (e.g., race, gender, sexual orientation, spiritual beliefs, etc.). Although some of these identities are social constructs that are imposed upon us, for many, they represent a salient aspect of who they are and how they understand the world. However, it can be stressful, traumatizing, and/or taxing when these identities are marginalized and met with systems of oppression.    

Distress caused by your identities being marginalized does not constitute a psychological disorder. However, therapy can be one of many spaces for healing the compounded wounds and trauma that arise from what may feel like a barrage of attacks; attacks from systems, communities and/or people we encounter. Healing looks different for each person, but in therapy we will work to determine what it looks like for you.

Assuming a one-size-fits-all therapeutic approach to stress caused by having identities that are marginalized can be retraumatizing and ineffective. Thus, my primary focus is on being compassionate and understanding. By exploring salient identities, how they are expressed and how they are supported and/or challenged, therapy can be a place to support people in actualizing a life most fulfilling and authentic for them. 

Additionally, for many, there are strong emotions that arise from their lived experiences and these feelings inform their responses to various situations. Uncovering the development of these emotions may be difficult to articulate, as they may be chronically suppressed in the interest of maintaining one’s standing at their company, among peers, or within institutions. It is my goal that the façades that are maintained in the interest of perseverance be critically examined. 

Systemic oppression does not have to be navigated alone. It is my hope that our work can be a place of refuge from it.